Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Augusta, GA (Future150) -- With grit and tenacious play, the Birmingham Ice 16U squad cruised to an easy win in their final game of the day on Saturday. The aggressive defensive team embarrassed the Wayne County Blazers behind the outstanding play of four players.
Jarvis Calhoun is one of the best pure-shooters we have seen this weekend regardless of age, and he continued his impressive stroke tonight. He poured in a couple of three-pointers to go along with some drives to the basket to keep the defense on their toes. Justin Coleman did an exceptionally good job getting Calhoun the ball during this time with his vision. He showed the ability to run a team as a true point guard.
On the defense end, Cedric McGinnis ran the show. He probably had close to ten steals during the game to go along with several points. At one point, the Ice went four consecutive possessions with Mcginnis getting a steal and finishing with a layup/mid-range shot. When he didn’t score it himself, Mcginnis was probably feeding it to sharp-shooter Luke Kelly. Kelly, like most shooters, benefited from Mcginnis and Coleman driving and kicking, as well as heavier attention on other players.
The Ice is looking impressive early on in the AAU season, and they are representing Alabama well. Stay up-to-date with Birmingham’s finest on Future150.com
2013
Tahjai Watts - Pos: SF | Ht: 6’6” |
(Charlotte, NC) High School: North Mecklenburg | AAU: South Piedmont Heat
The South Piedmont Heat was one of the first teams we saw play early in the day, and they set the tone on the impression meter. Lead by Watts, the Heat played with only five players, yet they breezed through the competition. Watts is an elite athlete, allowing him to be an outstanding rebounder. He played above the rim throughout the day. He was easily the most impressive prospect from Day 2. Appalachian State, Elon, VCU, Wake Forest, Coastal Carolina, Colgate, and Boston College are among the schools looking at him right now.
Justin McKie - Pos: SG | Ht: 6’5” |
(Columbia, SC) High School: Irmo | AAU: Upward Stars
McKie was one of several well-rounded players we saw today. In one game, he finished with 15 points, which included 3-3 from the three-point line. He also added 4 assists and 4 rebounds. He displayed his nice shooting stroke, but he can also drive and draw other defenders to him. In either scenario, he did very well. He is receiving interest from Charleston Southern, Presbyterian, VCU, South Carolina, and Western Carolina.
Wadly Mompremier - Pos: SF/PF | Ht: 6’9” |
(Miami, FL) High School: Miami | AAU: Florida Assault
Mompremier is one of the great athletes from Florida Assault, so his super-long body bodes well for the team. With his length, he was able to block several shots and rebound in bunches. He also has a nice mid-range game that continues to develop. James Madison and Jacksonville have already offered Mompremier, and Alabama, Florida Atlantic, and George Mason are showing interest.
Logan Evans - Pos: SF | Ht: 6’5” |
(Raleigh, NC) High School: Wakefield | AAU: Team Chosen
Sneaky and deceptive really describes Evans. He stole a lot of rebounds against opposing defenders because of his uncanny knack to find openings and sneak through them. With his long, slender body, he possesses great athleticism and talent. The entire Team Chosen squad fed off of his energy throughout the day. He is an exceptional three-point shooter, but he hopes to develop a threat to attack the basket this summer. Davidson, Elon, Bucknell, Brown, and VCU have all shown interest.
Rashad Parker - Pos: SF | Ht: 6’8” |
(Fayetteville, NC) High School: Fayetteville Christian | AAU: Fayetteville Stars
At 6-foot-8, Parker already has an intriguing division-1 body. He is a solid finisher at the rim and rebounds well because of his length and size. With time and strength, Parker will only improve. His post game continues to get better, pushing him towards being a successful combo-forward.
2014
Eric Lockett - Pos: SF | Ht: 6’6” |
(Atlanta, GA) High School: Northwood Temple Academy | AAU: Aim High
Lockett was one of the many 2014 kids that stood out o the second day. He is very versatile, as he thrived when driving the ball and posting up smaller defenders. The wing utilized his body very well, allowing him to finish at the rim against contact. The only negative was his lack of shooting. It was obvious he is not comfortable with his shot to this point. George Mason, Georgetown, and Georgia are some schools that have expressed interest.
Jefferie Gibson - Pos: SF | Ht: 6’6” |
(Fayetteville, NC) High School: Grays Creek | AAU: NC Panthers
Gibson consistently finished above the rim for the game, whether it was on layups he created for himself or off trash buckets from offensive rebounds. His long, lanky arms allowed him to cause havoc for opposing rebounders. After watching him, Future150 understood the meaning of high-flyer.
Julian Clay - Pos: PF | Ht: 6’7” |
(Fayetteville, NC) High School: Douglas Bird | AAU: NC Panthers
While his play was noteworthy, Clay’s mouth may have been the most eye-raising thing from Saturday. He communicated very well with his teammates and offered constructive criticism and praise for his teammates. Offensively, he used his exceptional upper-body strength to grab rebounds and finish with contact. East Carolina and Savannah State are the schools looking at him currently.
Ahmad Hill - Pos: SG | Ht: 6’5” |
(Augusta, GA) High School: Aquinas | AAU: Southern Stampede
Hill is another great athlete on display this weekend. He can score at ease on all three levels, but his mid-range game stood out this afternoon. He attacks constantly possession after possession and does so in a variety of ways. He also rebounds well from the guard position. “I want to improve my ball-handling and overall post moves,” he said Saturday.
Steve Robinson - Pos: PG | Ht: 5’8” |
(Mebane, NC) High School: Eastern Alamance| AAU: Team Chosen
Despite his lack of size, Robinson is a high-energy player that definitely makes a difference on the floor. His elite ball-handling skills enable him to be so great. Robinson has the ability to get anywhere he wants on the floor at any time. He is a nightmare for all defenders to be exact. He made several players looks silly over the weekend.
Additional Notes:
Ole Miss and Georgia saw a lot of Jakeenan Gant and Elijah Staley from Southern Stampede (GA) throughout the day. Both have had a good weekend.
Lukas Meisner of the Fayetteville Stars (SC) has BYU and UNLV coming at him the most right now, according to his coach. “BYU is staying in constant contact.”
Coastal Carolina may be the hands-on favorite to land Upward Stars (SC) big man Sidy Mohamed, per a source close to the situation. Some coaches from Coastal have been in this weekend to watch Mohamed.
Daniel Giddens of Worldwide Renegades (GA), a member of our 2015 rankings, is not playing this weekend due to a hyper-extended knee; 2013 star L.J. Peak of Upward Stars (SC) did not make the trip to Augusta because of a groin injury.
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